Monday, June 29, 2015

July 19, 2015, on the
final day of the upcoming residency, the MFAC program will have a Graduate
Recognition ceremony to honor the men and women who have just completed their
studies and will receive an MFA from Hamline University. Between now and residency
we'll be posting interviews with the grads. Katie (Katherine) Kunz is today's
grad; she lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What do you do when you’re not working
on packets?
I’m a high school English teacher, so that takes up a lot of my time. When I do
have free time, I spend it with the people, stories, and dogs I love.

How did you hear about the Hamline
MFAC Program?
On the Internet. Like a little squirrel, the ad just kept popping up; kept
running around in my head. I gave it a lot of thought, met with Mary [Rockcastle], and sat
on it. Then, in the middle of subbing for an unruly eighth grade class, two
days before the May application deadline, the ad popped up again. And I
thought, “You know what? That little squirrel is pretty awesome.”

What was your writing experience prior
to entering the program?
I started a comic about a boy named Stuart the summer before 6th grade. At 17 I
made the decision I wanted to be a writer, and I practiced the rest of high
school. Then I took undergraduate courses in creative writing at the University
of MN. After teaching and trying to write in NYC for three years, I moved home
to Minneapolis. Here I took a class at The Loft Literary Center and wrote two
picture books. (I just found one this spring. It’s awful! Ha!) Three years ago
I wrote a middle grade novel. After that was done, that little squirrel popped up.

What do especially remember about your
first residency?I remember feeling
very out of place. Feeling a bit like a fraud, like I got in as a charity case
or something. Everyone was brilliant and confident. I was not; I am not. But I
did feel like I found a very special place in Hamline by the end of that
residency. I also battled at bit of homesickness, which is ridiculous because I
live about 10 miles from campus and stay at home. After graduation I expect
I’ll suffer from MFAC-sickness.

Have you focused on any one form (PB,
novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form
you never thought you’d try?
I came in with that middle grade novel I had written in 2012 and revised that
in my first semester. I also started a graphic novel—which I never thought I
would do. In my second semester I wrote the draft of a second middle grade
novel, this one for the younger set in that audience. I started a third middle
grade novel in my third semester. This, my final semester, I revised and
revised and revised and revised one more time (thank you, Jackie) my second
middle grade novel. I also drafted four picture books and revised and revised
and revised two of those.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.
It is a story of a nine-year old New Yorker named Moon who struggles with
chronic pain and lonesomeness due to an undiagnosed blood disorder. She forms
an unlikely friendship with a rambunctious pony she names Cheese, and when
their friendship is threatened, she discovers who she is and what she can do.
She gets help along the way from a pair of Adidas shoes, a wise, Chinese boy
named Sying, a dragon kite, an iPad, and a chicken named Banana Cake. I also
wrote a picture book about little girl named Ruby who believes in her
super-ness, and another picture book with an embedded nursery rhyme about a
little girl, Greta, who builds a moat to protect the animals in her kingdom
from an evil witch.

What changes have you seen in your
writing during your studies?
There are so many! For example, now I can see craft elements in my stories more
clearly and analyze them for intention. Before I just ran with the feelings I
had. Now I am more objective. Although my feelings are valid, I know if I can’t
justify why something is necessary—despite my undying love for it—I let it go. I
also understand my own process much better. I get the importance of a finishing
a shitty rough draft, however embarrassing it may be. Until my third semester I
didn’t know if I could revise, either. But I guess I can. So that’s new. Finally,
en medias res, running your character up a tree then bringing on the storm, and
plotting (arcs, scenes/summary, acts, chapters, etc.) were also critical
lessons that have helped cause change in my writing.

Any thoughts for entering students or
for people considering the program?
I have a few. Yes, it may be a chunk of change. Yes, it may be time-consuming.
And, yes, you will more likely than not cry, especially at residency. But let
me ask you this: How much more does it cost to defer a dream? What better way
to spend your time than with an art you love and believe in? And aren’t tears—happy
tears, nervous tears, proud tears, grateful tears, the myriad types of tears
you shed being part of the Hamline MFAC program—an unabashed reminder of the
importance and the joy of writing our hearts out for our children?

*

The public is welcome to attend the graduate
recognition ceremony on Sunday, July 19, 3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).Tim
Federle is the speaker.

Friday, June 26, 2015

July 19, 2015, on the
final day of the upcoming residency, the MFAC program will have a Graduate
Recognition ceremony to honor the men and women who have just completed their
studies and will receive an MFA from Hamline University. Between now and residency
we'll be posting interviews with the grads. Judi Marcin is today's grad; she
lives in Chicago, Illinois, and can be found on Twitter @MFACPride.

Judi and her amazingly supportive spouse.

What do you do when you’re not working
on packets?For now, my
day job is as a family physician. I teach family medicine residents, but what I
really want to do is teach and support young people on their own writing
journeys. My long-term goal is to support myself by writing. I like to dream
big! And thanks to Hamline, I feel well prepared to do whatever it takes. I am
also a foodie who loves to eat, cook and travel with my amazingly supportive
spouse.

How did you hear about the Hamline
MFAC Program?I learned
about the MFAC program at a booth at an AWP conference. This interesting and
enthusiastic student had nothing but great things to say about Hamline. I did
some research on my own and realized it sounded like the perfect place for me.

What was your writing experience prior
to entering the program?Before
Hamline, I wrote only for myself, too intimidated to share anything with anyone
else. But then I took the plunge and signed up for all the creative writing
classes I could in Chicago. The more I wrote, the younger my protagonists became.
Then a light bulb came on. Why should I write for grownups when what I want to
do is write for young people? So I found my courage again and applied to
Hamline—the best decision I have ever, ever made for my creative self.

What do you especially remember about
your first residency?

I was so
excited to find a bunch of people just like me who didn’t think books about
magical talking cats in ancient Egypt were frivolous or silly. The program was
filled with individuals who loved reading, writing and talking about books as
much as I did, with brilliant faculty who shared their knowledge and lent their
support. I remember how committed other writers and faculty were to their craft,
and I soon realized how challenging this journey would be— so much harder than
medical school ever was.

I embraced
the fact that young people deserve stories written by authors who take their
jobs seriously. What we do changes people lives. We provide our readers with
escape and encouragement, mirrors and windows, and lots of wonderful ways of
exploring the world. Writing for children and young adults is way too important
to not do well.

Have you focused on any one form (PB,
novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form
you never thought you’d try?I came to Hamline
thinking I would write contemporary YA, scared to explore my talking cat idea.
Then I discovered that middle grade is my true love and historical fantasy my
destiny; however, picture books are an extremely close second. And thanks to
Claire Rudolf Murphy, I have three nonfiction Works in Progress competing for
my attention. Nonfiction blends my love of history, research and storytelling.

Original, real-world Onyx

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.My creative
thesis is historical fantasy that is part of a series. Set in ancient Egypt, the
pharaoh’s daughter rescues a magical black cat, Onyx, who possesses powers that
will not only save her and family but an ancient library as well. In future
books, Onyx learns the price and pain of immortality as she lives out her
remaining eight lives. She travels throughout the world, learning how to protect
the library from its enemies and becoming the warrior she was meant to be.
These stories celebrate the lives of females, inspired by real girls and women
who changed the trajectory of history.

What changes have you seen in your
writing during your studies?

I am more
confident and willing to take risks. I am less afraid to try something new and
more accepting if the idea never quite comes to fruition. Writing is an art and
a craft and something that deserves my attention. If I want to become better, I
have to put in the time, and that is lifelong. It doesn’t end with one book or
one story. Writing is lots of trial and error and rejection and I am still
learning to embrace those things. I have discovered the joy of editing and
working and reworking the story until the words are right.

Any thoughts for entering students or
for people considering the program?

In this
program, we celebrate one another as artists who want to make the world a
better place. Find the things and people that inspire you and surround yourself
with them. The MFAC program will change your life and demand your time and
attention. Embrace that. The faculty and students will support you along the
way and long after you graduate. Finally, run towards the things that scare you
the most.

*

The public is welcome to attend the graduate recognition ceremony on
Sunday, July19, 3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).Tim Federle is the
speaker.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

July 19, 2015, on the
final day of the upcoming residency, the MFAC program will have a Graduate
Recognition ceremony to honor the men and women who have just completed their
studies and will receive an MFA from Hamline University. Between now and residency
we'll be posting interviews with the grads. Sonja Solter is today's grad; she
lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but is about to move to Geneva,
Switzerland for one year.

What do you do when you’re not working
on packets?

I spend lots of time with my husband and two children (an
eight-year-old daughter and an almost-twelve-year old son), as well extended
family in town, including a niece and nephew. I homeschooled my daughter for
most of this past school year. I originally intended to substitute teach for
the Music Together® program I used to direct in town, but I quickly realized my
schedule was too busy for that. We also like to travel, both domestically and
internationally, and participate in various sports activities. I went through
candidate training and passed my black belt test in Shotokan karate last
summer. Another thread to my life is remaining centered and receptive spiritually,
which sometimes means a specific activity, such as daily centering prayer
meditation or an experiential retreat.

How did you hear about the Hamline
MFAC Program?I researched programs online.

What was your writing experience prior
to entering the program?Looking back, I can remember writing a poem during a
special artist-in-residence workshop in elementary school. I was awed by the
process of evoking feelings and sensations through my words. As an older child
and young adult, I always thought of myself as a writer, even though I wasn’t
pursuing writing activities outside of the occasional school assignment.
Finally, after realizing that I didn’t want to be a doctor and leaving medical
school, the writing came pouring out of me. I started writing regularly after
that, but it would dwindle when I became busy with other projects or my family.
I kept myself going by joining my local SCBWI chapter, and even completed a
four-month mentorship program with author Claudia Mills. Yet I finally realized
that I needed to make a bigger commitment and receive more intensive
instruction in order to take my writing to a higher level of craft.

What do especially remember about your
first residency?I was so exhausted coming in. We’d been evacuated in June from
our home due to the wildfires in Colorado, and then had immediately left on an
overseas trip we’d planned far in advance. Despite this exhaustion and a couple
of unhappy incidents (my new computer dying with all of my notes and
reflections halfway through residency; my husband falling quite ill with a
spider bite while he was supposed to take care of the kids), I had the time of
my life. I felt immediately close to the people, and I could tell right away
that the coursework was both engaging and just what I needed.

Have you focused on any one form (PB,
novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form
you never thought you’d try?I’ve tried pretty much everything except for
nonfiction, and I’ve also covered the gamut of ages. Each genre and level has
informed and inspired the others. For example, exploring picture books led me
into poetry, which then led me into a middle grade novel in verse. I didn’t
think I’d write a young adult novel while in the program, so I surprised myself
by switching to a YA novel as the majority of my creative thesis.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis. I completed a 150-page draft and a few rounds
of intense revision (to be continued) on a young adult novel called
“Entanglement.” It’s about a young woman who finds herself psychically
connected both to someone from her own past and an ancestor.Her search for the meaning and purpose of
these connections leads her down a path of healing, empowerment, and redemption.
I also have two picture books as part of my creative thesis: one with the book
itself as the first-person narrator and also the third installment in a
cartoon-style reader series starring friends Mona and Dee.

What changes have you seen in your
writing during your studies?It would take me a long time to list it all.
Overall, it’s been such an interesting mix of becoming more conscious of all
the craft elements, but at the same time developing a more natural overall
flow. A deeper understanding and internalization of all I’ve learned is most
likely the mechanism linking those two. Another somewhat counterintuitive pair:
I’ve learned to relax more and play with my writing in order to enhance revision
and specific work on craft elements.

Any thoughts for entering students or
for people considering the program?I can’t recommend it highly enough! If you
are serious about your writing, do it!

*

The public is welcome to attend the graduate
recognition ceremony on Sunday, July19, 3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).Tim Federle is the speaker.

Monday, June 22, 2015

July 19, 2015, on the final day of the upcoming
residency, the MFAC program will have a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor
the men and women who have just completed their studies and will receive an MFA
from Hamline University. Between now and residency we'll be posting interviews
with the grads. OJ Hanratty is today's grad; he lives in Providence, Rhode
Island and can be found on Twitter @OrrinJhanratty.

What
do you do when you’re not working on packets? I live for stories,
so in my down time I do a lot of reading, writing, watching (Good TV), and
listening (to podcasts). I am also a pizza aficionado. Otherwise, I am either
at work at my machine shop doing things that make me look like this

à

or I am with
my fiancée, Hannah, whom I adore.

How
did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?
At Rhode Island College I attended a summer writing institute for a group
called the Alliance for the Study and Teaching of Adolescent Literature
(ASTAL). At the institute I got to show my writing to real authors for the
first time. Two of those authors were Kelly Easton and Liza Ketchum and they
told me about the program, and encouraged me to come. I would say they
threatened me, but they totally didn’t threaten me. There were no threats, ok?

Just drop it

What
was your writing experience prior to entering the program?
I was filling up the backs of notebooks since I first learned that anyone could
make up stories. I had a sideways path to becoming a writer, but most of my
early memories involve me alone in the middle of the woods behind my house
battling with some sort of imaginary monster with my trusty array of stick
swords. I just love the ways of words and stories and always have. I’m an
addict. I don’t want help.

What
do especially remember about your first residency?
I felt like I was way out of my depth, everyone here was so smart and writerly.
I was a nervous wreck, and that made me quiet. Quiet for me, that is. Since I
was so nervous, I was just trying to take it all in and keep my feet on the
ground. It was mostly a blur, but I do remember one specific moment on the
first day.

You know how
they say first semester students never get workshopped on the first day? That’s
either a bald-faced lie, or they changed that rule because of me. So in the
first huge meeting where everyone is saying hi to their old friends and walking
around and everything is warm and cozy for everyone but the new people, WHO
KNOW NOTHING. And if you remember a paragraph ago I was a nervous wreck.

So they start
going over who will be going on the first day of workshop, and Gene Yang gets
up for our workshop and says, “Jenny Barlow… and ORRIN JOHN HANRATTY III.” I
seem to remember him shaking his fist all the way through my name and deepening
his voice. I could be imagining this. I don’t know. I blacked out after that.

Have
you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group
in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try?
I focused mostly on novels. I wrote a complete draft of one novel my first two
semesters and worked on a second in my third and final semesters. As for other
forms, I have written a couple picture books in my downtime. They kinda suck,
but I enjoy using the sparseness of the form to tell silly stories. I have a few comic book ideas I toy with, as
well.

Tell
us about your Creative Thesis.My thesis is a YA
novel, A Conspiracy of Clowns. Usually the question “Who is the Class
Clown” has an easy answer. Not so much in Cove Town High, where pies explode
from lockers, chickens stampede from nothingness, and football teams are locked
up with angry skunks. The Class Clown of Cove Town is a menace to some and a
hero to others. It is up to Victoria, head of the school paper, and her best
friend Kami to take him –or her—down.

It’s a
comedic mystery that serves as a backdrop for the friendship between Victoria
and Kami. Victoria is a super smart, driven, detail obsessed, African American
girl and Kami is a lesbian cheerleader, with no filter and nothing but
optimism. They have a fight early in the novel and it almost dissolves their
friendship, it is the investigation of the Clown that brings them together, and
in the process they learn more about the world around them than they ever
thought they would.

What
changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?
I’m more outline driven now. I used to be a “Pantser,” but now I’m all for
planning and preparing for my stories as they go along. Much of my work on the Conspiracy has been looking at
structure. Also I’ve come to a new appreciation of grammar and precision of
language. Also I use “also” much more liberally.

Any
thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?
Treasure the time. It goes so fast, and you just can’t hold on to it hard
enough. ____________________ (Insert cheesy song lyric.) This has been the
best writing experience of my life.

*

The public is welcome to attend the graduate recognition ceremony on
Sunday, July19, 3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).Tim Federle is the speaker.

Friday, June 19, 2015

July 19, 2015, on the final day of the
upcoming residency, the MFAC program will have a Graduate Recognition ceremony
to honor the men and women who have just completed their studies and will
receive an MFA from Hamline University. Between now and residency we'll be
posting interviews with the grads. Tashi Saheb-Ettaba is today's grad; she lives in Tucson, Arizona and can
be found on Twitter @Seras_Ouka.

What
do you do when you’re not working on packets?

I’m a Trailing Docs Coordinator at Nova Home Loans. I work
out at a local gym called Steps Dance and Fitness. I love reading. Hmm, what
else do I do? I paint, play video games, make costumes, dance, have weird
conversations with my co-workers, snuggle with my cats, and play Rock Band with
my friends. Sometimes, I burst into a song for no reason whatsoever. Currently,
I’m learning to play the guitar.

How
did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?

In 2012, I saw an ad in the Poets and Writers magazine. Ever since I saw that ad, Hamline kept
popping up. I saw the ad again in the next issue of Poets and Writers. One day, I overheard a conversation about
Hamline at a coffee shop. When I came across Anne Ursu’s Breadcrumbs, Hamline was mentioned in her bio snippet. When I
finally visited the website, I was intrigued with the program. I was going
through a difficult moment at the time and Hamline was my beacon of hope. When
the New Year came around, I decided to give this program a shot.

It was as if I was following the breadcrumbs to a magical
place.

What
was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

I made up stories in my head, but I never wrote them
down. When I was ten, I kept a diary about my travels. When I was sixteen, I
wrote a story about a girl who went on an adventure with pirates. Throughout
high school, I wrote a lot of stories about pirates and dragons. (To all my
high school friends, if you’re reading this, I’m so sorry you had to read those
horrible stories!) Throughout college, I experimented with horror, magic
realism, and fairy tale retellings.

What
do especially remember about your first residency?

I remember being nervous. I was worried about not fitting
in and had so much self-doubt. At one point, I even thought I didn’t deserve to
be there with all these talented writers. After talking to the faculty and
classmates, all my fears vanished. I felt comfortable and didn’t feel like I
had to hide my true self.

Oh yeah, I also remember chasing OJ down the dorm hallway
because he threw water at me!

Tashi also enjoys doodling cats.

Have
you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group
in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try?

I wrote a lot of novels and short stories before coming
to this program. Last summer, I took Gene Yang’s Writing Comics Workshop. It
was an insightful workshop and I realized some of my short stories worked
better as graphic novels. During my third semester, Jackie Briggs Martin
encouraged me to write picture books, and it was a fantastic experience.

Tell
us about your Creative Thesis.

My creative thesis is called Angels and Trains. It’s a magic realism middle-grade novel about
confrontation with death. Celeste finds out she’s diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma
and is overwhelmed with her drastic lifestyle changes involving hospital visits
and chemotherapy. To make matters worse, she can’t stop hearing the phantom
train.

In a small town called Mittelteil, there’s a haunting legend about a phantom
train. Legend claims that the phantom train will come to those who are dying.

During the chaos, she meets Micah, a mysterious boy who is connected to the
train. He calls himself a Guardian, who will comfort her before they board the
train together. Celeste is upset by Micah’s presence and wants to defeat death.

Overall, the novel is really about life, death, love, flying, and rock and
roll.

What
changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?

I used to struggle with character development. I would
focus solely on the plot, but didn’t apply the character’s desires and emotions
to the story. My characters were either flat or not relatable at all. Other
times, I couldn’t even figure out what my character is supposed to learn by the
end of the story. Thanks to the lectures, I learned a lot about character traits,
flaws, desires, and psychic distance.

Nowadays, I pay attention to my characters and their needs. A character always
has a story to tell.

Any
thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?

Okay, here’s what you do. Visit the MFAC Program website,
read it, and place your hand over your heart. Is your heart beating so fast
that you can’t help but feel giddy? Do you feel like you could fly as you
picture yourself being surrounded by kind and talented students? Are you
smiling as you think of your stories coming to life?

Did you feel all these things?

Good. That means you’re meant to be here.

It’s okay to be scared at first. I remember being terrified when I first
entered the program, but now, I don’t have any fears holding me back.

And neither will you.

*

The
public is welcome to attend the graduate recognition ceremony on Sunday,
July19, 3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).Tim Federleis
the speaker.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

July
19, 2015, on the final day of the upcoming residency, the MFAC program will
have a Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor the men and women who have just
completed their studies and will receive an MFA from Hamline University.
Between now and residency we'll be posting interviews with the grads. Donna
Jones Koppelman is today's grad; she lives in North Carolina and can be found
writing and chatting at these places: www.donnakoppelman.blogspot.com;
facebook.com/donna.koppelman; @koppelmom (Twitter).

What
do you do when you’re not working on packets?

I have
four children aged 19-12, two dogs, a three-legged cat, and a husband, so
I am plenty busy when I’m not doing packets. I watch a lot of football games,
track meets, tennis matches, soccer games, plays and band concerts. I serve on
the board at our local library, I am a vestry member at our church, I sing in a
praise band at church, and I am active in our small community. I also do school
visits to talk about writing and teach writing to students, and I lead staff
development at schools to teach teachers how to teach writing more effectively.
My research when I pursued a Reading Specialist at UNC focused on the
relationship between teacher confidence in their own writing and their ability
to teach writing. At one school, I helped kick off a “Drop Everything and
Write” campaign that even involved the bus drivers. Those stories were the
BEST!

How
did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?

I had a
number of friends who attended the program in Vermont. I was impressed with the
program (and all my friends!), but when I heard about Hamline, I suspected it
may be smaller and more personal. I also wanted to work on nonfiction, and
Hamline’s program had the amazing Jackie Briggs Martin; I had long been a fan
of Snowflake Bentley, and I was a
huge fan of Gary Schmidt’s work. I also hoped the Hamline program might offer a
cultural experience of being in Minnesota every January.

What
was your writing experience prior to entering the program?

Growing
up, I wrote all the time. I wrote stories, poems, notes in class (before
texting), and especially music lyrics. Prior to entering the program, I had
written for educational journals, newspaper and magazine markets, and worked
daily on picture books and novels. I had also kept a blog for several years.
Once I had a good daily writing routine for a few years and read all the craft
books I could find, I knew I needed a program to take me to the next
level.

What
do especially remember about your first residency?

My first residency, I arrived late at night.
Two young [Hamline undergraduate] students were making out on the front stoop
of the dorm, blocking the door, and I had to tap the girl on the shoulder to
get in the building. Then, my dorm room smelled so awful. I could hardly
breathe. I walked to a 24 hour gas station in the middle of the night
trying to find Febreze or Lysol. I remember thinking, “I am way too old to be
staying in a dorm room that smells like vomit.” I thought maybe I had made a
huge mistake. The next day, dear Mike Petry, a returning student who knew the
ropes, helped me spray my room from end to end which we continued to do every
day for the rest of the residency. I also remember how special it was to see my
old friend, Miriam Busch, again. We had participated in a children’s writing
program at Chautauqua together a few years prior. Most of all, I fell
completely in love with my classmates, my professors, and the whole program. I
wrote my husband letters daily about how much I loved the program and how
grateful I was to be there. I saved them to read aloud when I am a keynote
speaker at a big conference one day. I kept them to remember how Hamline MFAC
changed my life.

Have you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction;
graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form you never thought
you’d try?

I have
worked on nonfiction picture books, rhyming picture books, non rhyming picture
books, and a middle grade novel. I loved my work on the critical thesis, and if
I could find a way to do more research and then teaching about my findings, I
would be in heaven. I would love to be a professor in a low-residency program
like this one. One goal I had for this program that I have not met is to figure
out what genre is my strongest. Perhaps trying so many things kept me from
getting very good at any one thing! However, I definitely have a foundation to
push forward in many directions.

Tell
us about your Creative Thesis.

For my
creative thesis, I wrote a middle grade novel about a young girl prying into
family secrets. It is set in Georgia in the early 1970s and involves divorce,
racial issues, Vietnam, family relationships, spiritual exploration, and even a
little Betty Friedan. I began this novel on Jane’s suggestion, and it grew out
of a childhood memory I wrote for her about stealing blackberries with my
cousin at the end of my first semester. I kept writing the novel on my own
during the other semesters between packets, etc. Then, this semester, Jane
challenged me to put it down and write it over from scratch without looking at
it. The thought terrified me, but I knew if I didn’t do it now, I would never
do it. (Haven’t we all walked over hot coals for Jane?) The process amazed and
astounded me, and I would highly recommend it. From then on, if a scene didn’t
work, I didn’t try to fix it, I started over. What a difference! I love this
story, and the rich culture of the time period and physical setting of a
Georgia summer. Much of the story takes place within the branches of a huge
Magnolia tree which is where I spent many summer days myself.

What
changes have you seen in your writing during your studies?

At
first, I avoided the hot stove so much that I hardly knew how to find it.
Working with Jane my first semester was the best thing I could have done, but
that semester was emotionally tough. I revisited a lot of difficult issues in
my childhood memories, but they opened the door to a wealth of writing material
and a great personal sense of peace.

I have
finally, mostly, learned to only put one space after a period. For the record,
I hate that rule. (and you may not be surprised that I also support the Oxford
Comma) I loved From Where You Dream
by Robert Olen Butler. It’s a little “out there”, as Jane would say, but
learning about the relationship between my dreams and my writing life changed
my writing routine dramatically. I have learned how to follow and control my
own mind’s rhythm and patterns in order to yield the most productive writing
time.

Any
thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?

This
program is life-changing, but be prepared to go all in. Clear your schedule.
Minimize your expenses. Live simply. Have a sit down with your children. Give
yourself two years to write like a maniac and devote yourself to the program.
Trust the process. Give every assignment your best effort, and your work will
improve exponentially. And let the housework go a bit. Trust me, it will be
there when you graduate!

*

The public is welcome to
attend the graduate recognition ceremony on Sunday, July19, 3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).TimFederle is the speaker.

Monday, June 15, 2015

July 19, 2015,
on the final day of the upcoming residency, the MFAC program will have a
Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor the men and women who have just
completed their studies and will receive an MFA from Hamline University.
Between now and residency we'll be posting interviews with the grads. Olivia
Ghafoerkhan is today's grad; she lives in Woodbridge,
Virginia.

What do you do when you’re not working
on packets?

I have four
young kids, and a very needy dog. When I’m not working on packets, I am Super
Mom complete with cape. Okay, it’s a rumpled cape that needs ironing, and my
uniform has a few stains in it, but there you go.

How did you hear about the Hamline
MFAC Program?

An online
search. I knew I needed something more, something to help me bring my writing
to the next level, and I was desperately searching.

What was your writing experience prior
to entering the program?

I studied
creative writing at Florida State as an undergraduate student. Then I became a
naptime novelist, writing in between parenting.

What do especially remember about your
first residency?

Being
extremely tired and somewhat overwhelmed. I’m not the most social person, and
the constant interaction was a bit much for me at first. Now it’s one of the
things I look forward to.

Have you focused on any one form (PB,
novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a form
you never thought you’d try?

I’ve been
working on novels most of the program. I do wish I had been brave enough to try
a picture book.

Tell us about your Creative Thesis.

Story Spinners is about a young girl who is trying
to save her sister in a world of fairytales and magic. The Story Spinners are
hired by merchant families to create elaborate fairytales about their children
in hopes of making a royal match. Ana’s stepfather creates such a fairytale for
Ana, and she finds herself betrothed to a prince who is in love with his
missing princess. Together they embark on a quest to save the missing
princesses and uncover the truth about the Story Spinners.

What changes have you seen in your
writing during your studies?

I am much
more aware of the faults in my writing. Seriously, though, my writing, and my
ability to self-edit, have grown tremendously throughout this program.

Any thoughts for entering students or
for people considering the program?

Relax. Everyone
is wonderful and supportive, there’s absolutely nothing to stress out about. Just
work hard and try to enjoy every moment.

*

The public is welcome to attend the graduate recognition
ceremony on Sunday, July 19, 3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).Tim Federleis the speaker.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

July 19, 2015,
on the final day of the upcoming residency, the MFAC program will have a
Graduate Recognition ceremony to honor the men and women who have just
completed their studies and will receive an MFA from Hamline University.
Between now and residency we'll be posting interviews with the grads. Zach
Arrowsmith is today's grad; he lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma

What
do you do when you’re not working on packets?When
I’m not working on packets, I’m probably out in the yard planting flowers or
running from snakes and snake-like earthworms. I also like to paint local
architecture and find old antiques to restore or repurpose. Then there is
Nintendo and, of course, Lego…both of which are big names in our house. Bigger
than Oprah and Colonel Sanders.

How
did you hear about the Hamline MFAC Program?Honestly,
I just stumbled upon it while researching nontraditional MFA programs. I think
it was on a list of the top underrated programs that few people know about or
something. I was like, “That sounds like me…I should give it a shot!” And then
I saw the required reading list…and Chaucer wasn’t on it! So I signed up.

What
was your writing experience prior to entering the program?Just
a few creative writing classes for my undergrad in English at the U of A.
Workshops were not as lovely as they are at Hamline. There was, as they say,
writers’ blood on the walls. And I’m a pacifist.

What
do especially remember about your first residency?Rumchata.
And professors singing showtunes.

Have
you focused on any one form (PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group
in your writing? Tried a form you never thought you’d try?I
came in thinking I was going to do YA and that’s that and you can’t change me;
however, my creative thesis was entirely picture books. Like Justin Bieber, I
never say never, but I’ll probably not return to YA or self-indulgent
first-person narrators in small-town Southern settings. On the flip side, I also
came in thinking picture books were about ABCs and keeping pee in the potty. I
am so pleased to walk away from the program having a deeper understanding of
this genre. Not to sound like Celine Dion, but children are the world and they
care so deeply about their stories. The people who write them should care that
much, too.

Any
thoughts for entering students or for people considering the program?I
know everyone says this, but do try to experiment across genres during your
time at Hamline—even if just for one semester. That genre—or even the advisor
you get—might say something to you that you might otherwise not have heard.
Also, don’t worry too much about mixing potions to control your fate while in
this program. I truly believe that you will have the advisor you’re meant to
have at the exact moment you’re meant to have them. Everything will work out.
Just keep your pen moving and, when you’re not writing, keep your nose in a
crack.

*

The public is
welcome to attend the graduate recognition ceremony on Sunday, July19, 3:30pm,
(Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University).Tim Federleis the speaker.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

As someone who has lived overseas
and moved twelve times, I know that every place is unique. Two towns from a
small state like Connecticut appear so similar to an outsider, but to a native,
they are as different as night and day. There is a different rhythm, a
different sensibility. Every town has a unique, idiosyncratic heartbeat once
you get beyond their similar appearance.

So I shouldn't have been surprised that
shifting my setting upended my novel. I naively thought this would straighten
out a few plotting issues. My characters kept wandering over into this town for
entertainment so I figured I would situate them there. My plot problems would
be solved, right?

Of course not. In fact, I created a slew of
new obstacles for myself. And as the esteemed Jane Resh Thomas wrote last month, "setting, like yeast, is not put-in-able at late stages of the
cookery." I had ruined my "bread." Most of my original scenes no
longer fit.

My
first town was largely homogenous in demographics and was located on a sheltered
harbor. My new setting jutted out into the Atlantic, its harbor unprotected
from the elements. In many ways, my young protagonist was less protected, too.
She finds more ways to get in trouble. While other characters had to find new
jobs, she found new dreams. So I experienced first hand what Jane wrote last
month. "Although place does concern distances and landmarks, it also
determines character."

As I revised, I recalled Ron Koertge's lecture
back in summer residency of 2013. He proposed we let our characters wander
through the town and see whom they meet as an exercise in character
cartography. On any summer’s day, my characters would have run into some of the
wealthiest families in America. Additionally Ron advised that we “map out your
character's world and see what sticks out.” As it turned out, my characters
tripped over things that stood out and lay splayed out on the sidewalk. From
that vantage point, though, they could see the underclass—the nameless,
faceless servant class of those moneyed families. I realized these servants
were not nameless or faceless to my characters. So I had to uncover their
stories as background to my story.

In
the end, social class became an antagonist in my story, thwarting the dreams of
my protagonist. She can't go anywhere without being affected by class
distinctions. My protagonist loves to swim. In the former town, there were
lakes and a shoreline available to everyone. In the new setting, there is a
swim club reserved for only the very wealthy and the shoreline is privately
owned. She also loves the movies, but class determines where she sits. Affluent
summer residents reserve the box seats and servants crowd the theater on their
solitary afternoon off.

Moving my setting presented many challenges to
my "work in progress." Using Jane's metaphor, I had to throw out the
bread I was baking. Truly, this new loaf is so much better. We often hear about
letting our characters lead as we write and revise. Perhaps we should consider
having the setting lead, and see what happens to our characters and plot.

*

Ellen Kazimer is a
January 2014 graduate of the MFAC program. She lives and writes in Virginia.

Friday, June 5, 2015

July
19, 2015, on the final day of the
upcoming residency, the MFAC program will have a Graduate Recognition ceremony
to honor the men and women who have just completed their studies and will
receive an MFA from Hamline University. Between now and residency we'll be
posting interviews with the grads. Tamara Rubin is today's grad; she lives in the
Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Tamara and daughter

What do you do when you’re not
working on packets?

I am a single mom to a now a three-and-a-half year old. She is my life.
I also work full time as a middle school special education teacher. Recently, I
also began coursework toward licensure as a K-12 Media Specialist. Regarding my
writing, it is a huge struggle trying to make it a habit. If there was a way to
convert my endless thinking and processing in my mind automatically to the
page, I would be set.

How did you hear about the
Hamline MFAC Program?

I honestly don’t remember. In 2008 I attended a session on teaching
poetry writing to children at the International Library Association’s annual
conference in Minneapolis. The instructor shared how she had earned an MFA in
writing for children and young adults at a school out east. I remember
thinking, “I can earn an MFA in writing for children?” I looked into the
program immediately and decided it was definitely something I wanted to do in
the future. I must’ve researched other programs at that time, because somewhere
I got it in my head, “Why would I want to stay in Minnesota and go to school
when I could do a similar program out east?” When my pregnancy dream became a
reality, I told myself that with the realization of one dream, now I needed to
do something about my writing dream. Going out out east was now out of the
question. So, I asked my father if he would attend an informational session at
Hamline with me, to make sure that I had four ears listening and didn’t hear
anything incorrectly. Mary Rockcastle talked about how accommodating the
program can be for people with various life circumstances. She also shared that
Patricia MacLachlan was going to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming
graduation. That was a sign for me--Patricia MacLachlan was and still is one of
my favorite authors. I went back to my parents’ house after and we talked with
Mom about what we learned. Then, surprising me to no end, my mom and dad both
agreed I should go for it--even though it would mean having to help watch my
daughter during the future residencies. I started in July 2011 with the plan to
only attend summers.

What was your writing experience
prior to entering the program?

During second grade, after being inspired by a story about ghost
adoption on the television show, That’s
Incredible! I wrote The Adopted Ghost
about a boy who adopted a ghost, named him Don Rickles (I had some fascination
with the comedian back then), and had adventures together. I still have the
handwritten version, but Mom typed it on her manual typewriter. It was 18 pages
long. It was then I decided someday that I would become a writer. Throughout
the years I wrote poetry and children’s stories, participated in occasional
programs through school, and eventually used writing as my solace when
depression had me in its grips during high school and for several years beyond.

After placing 2nd for creative nonfiction with my story about participating in
a firewalk (for real), I joined the North Hennepin Community College literary
magazine and later became the literary editor.

On my own, I produced a one-time book with a small grant for people who have
disabilities (I was working through the disabling effects of depression). The
book was a collection of writings and artwork by people with disabilities and
other health problems. I designed the layout, did the graphic design and most
of the editing, and hand bound the books myself. This was one of my most
rewarding projects to date.

While I was planning to transfer from community college to a four-year school
to become a teacher, I knew too many people heading that direction who weren’t
finding jobs. Then I learned from a Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU)
representative that I could major in creative writing and literature. I
remember thinking, “I can major in creative writing?” I can volunteer in schools
without a college degree, but to get training in the craft of writing, that was
something I needed. I enrolled and completed my Bachelor's degree focusing on
fiction and poetry. At SMSU I also co-edited the college literary magazine and
wrote for the school newspaper. Since then, I continued to write on my own, but
usually found myself feeling that becoming a writer was an unreachable dream,
so I left it as such--until I took the step to check out Hamline.

First residency, with roommate
Melinda Cordell.

What do you especially remember
about your first residency?

My first residency was an adventure itself. I was 32 weeks pregnant
(although not the furthest along at residency--there were two other women in
the graduating class who were expecting), had recently fractured my foot and
received a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. I wore a boot, had a cane,
waddled, and counted my carbs at each meal--even down to the number of fries I
ate with my breadless burger (I don’t know, I was able to eat decently with
food service--but I guess I’m not too picky and had learned nutrition prior to
finally getting pregnant). I tried using
a wheelchair briefly, but that was more hassle than it was worth. I lived on
campus the entire residency. My apartment was the furthest from the elevator on
the 3rd floor. There was construction on campus, so the most direct route to
classes, of course, was not the shortest. Plus, it was a hot summer. I did
enjoy eating lunch with other students and Patricia MacLachlan. I remember the
surprise I felt when I heard her first speak. Her frankness and deep voice did
not reflect the image I had for the writer of so many beautiful, calm, and
gentle works. She cracked me up with some of her stories that she shared during
meals.

Have you focused on any one form
(PB, novel, nonfiction; graphic novel) or age group in your writing? Tried a
form you never thought you’d try?

I focused primarily on picture books. I thought I knew something when I
started the program, but it was so little, I learned. I had no clue about the
craft in regards to minimal language, as well as leaving the story open for the
illustrator to interpret. I lacked a clear understanding of the importance of
empowering the main character, especially if she/he is a child and an adult is
present. During my second semester I also started a novel involving magical
realism. I completed 80 pages toward a first draft and am determined to
eventually finish the story. During my third semester, besides focusing on my
critical thesis, I started working on a picture book focusing on the story of a
dear friend and her mother who both survived the Holocaust and literally were
inseparable until her mother passed away a few years ago at the age of 100.
Last summer I attended Gene Yang’s session on writing the graphic novel and now
have a strong interest in trying something in that genre.

Tell us about your Creative
Thesis

My creative thesis is a collection of eight picture book manuscripts. Ayla’s Family Tree and Other Stories About
Growing, Seeing, and Solving Problems. It includes stories about a little
girl who becomes obsessed with polka, a young girl who believes her broccoli
bit her, a teacher whose ears grow when students tattle, a little Hungarian
girl who looks forward each week to the challah she receives from relatives and
must learn patience, a young girl who can communicate with a palm tree, a story
about a child’s notes to herself full of important reminders, and a nonfiction
piece that takes the reader on a journey through discovering recurring patterns
in nature.

What changes have you seen in
your writing during your studies?

I have learned to cut and cut and cut and not feel the need to grieve as
much as in the past (although the cutting doesn’t show up so much with these
questions--hey, I tend to be quiet at residencies, so now you all have an
opportunity to “hear” my voice). While I still focus on word count, I heed the
message that it’s not about the total word count that matters as much as the
fact that every word counts.

Any thoughts for entering
students or for people considering the program?

Take a look at your life. The program can be completed at the pace you
need. For me, attending only summers made the program feel less rushed as I fit
it in with working and being a mom, but also helped me save money. Also, by
consistently going summers, I didn’t risk repeating any of the content focus
areas. There were challenges going this route, though. I was not as productive
during the breaks as I anticipated I would be. Also, I found myself falling
into a bit of a funk each winter as my classmates returned to residency and I
was left out of the community--even though I tried to follow along a little on
Facebook and visit the campus once each January.

Despite my connection to a greater number of people over the five terms,
I struggle to feel truly connected. But, this is nothing new for my life. At
least I know I have a community through the MFAC program that welcomes me.
Again, I need to continue to remember this, and doubt myself less.

Did I gain as much from the program as I could have had I not started at the
point I did in my life? Perhaps. But, I also did not want to be a parent who
resents her child because she had to hold off on her dreams due to becoming a
parent. My daughter and my choice did not make it easy to get my work done or
write as much as I wish I had, but I feel grateful looking at where I am now
compared to where I was before I started the MFAC program.

Now it’s up to me.

*

The
public is welcome to attend the graduate recognition ceremony on Sunday, July19,
3:30pm, (Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University). Tim Federle is the
speaker.